For an immunity booster and glowing skin, papaya is always a top choice in our meals. Thanks to its loaded vitamins and minerals that only serve goodness to us. If you want your dog to have the same benefits, you must know whether can dogs have papaya.
Papaya is not only a healthy treat for us but also dogs. They must eat it in moderation and infrequently.
Anyway, feeding this fruit to our paw friends requires some safety concerns. Such as removing the seeds and skin, a no for diabetic dogs, and so on. This article will make you aware of this concept.
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Can Dogs Have Papaya?
Luckily, dogs can eat papaya, as it is full of nutrients and contains no toxins. It is rich in fibre, vitamins (such as A, C, and E), and minerals (like potassium and magnesium). These nutrients are responsible for boosting a dog’s brain health, heart health, muscle health, immune system, and so on. Besides, the nutrients present in papaya save mammals from many diseases and organ failures.
However, it’s important to note that dogs have different dietary requirements than humans. They can’t have as much papaya as we can. Hence, you must offer this fruit to them in moderate quantities. As always, you need to ask your vet first whether your dog can have papaya or not. The last call must be from him.
Benefits Of Having Papaya For Dogs
Papaya can give several health benefits to dogs if they eat it in the right way and in the right amount. For instance, papaya contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Vitamin A or beta-carotene can promote body growth and healthy vision in your dog. Again, vitamin C and its antioxidants will maintain cell growth and protect from the damage of free radicals. The fat-soluble vitamin K will keep your dog’s haemoglobin level and liver in check. Besides, it can prevent blood clotting.
Along with vitamins, papaya is rich in certain minerals. Such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Calcium can help your dog with bone and tooth health. Meanwhile, magnesium will take care of heart health, muscle health, and the nervous system.
Papaya has high amounts of fibre, which can regulate your dog’s bowel movement. Also, it supports healthy bacteria in the gut.
This fruit has some unique nutrients, like papain, lycopene, and lutein. Papain is an enzyme found in plant-based foods. Its job is to break down the protein. Again, lycopene acts as a phytonutrient and antioxidant. This can support your dog’s brain health, skin health, heart health, lungs, and other body organs. Lastly, lutein is like a carotenoid that aids in macular degeneration. It plays a crucial role in preventing cancer and cognitive ageing.
Risks Of Having Papaya For Dogs
Papaya can be risky for our canine friends when they don’t eat it properly. Sometimes dogs become so engrossed with the taste of papaya that they keep eating it. This makes them eat a huge amount of papaya, which can cause gastrointestinal upset.
As said earlier, papaya has high amounts of fibre and vitamin C. Too much fibre can upset the stomach, and too much vitamin C is not good for dogs. This is because dogs can produce vitamin C naturally. That’s why vets suggest including small amounts of vitamin C in their diet. Taking too much of it can be harmful to their body organs.
This fruit can also be dangerous for dogs when they eat its skin and seeds. The skin of papaya has small amounts of cyanide, which can lead to stomach irritation. Also, it is hard to digest, which results in choking hazards. They may experience the same side effects from papaya seeds. They are also responsible for blocking the intestine in dogs.
Papaya tastes good because of its sugar content, which is responsible for having fats. This can be dangerous for diabetic or obese dogs. Eating too much of it can inflame the pancreas and cause pancreatitis.
How To Offer Papaya To Dogs?
Before letting your paw friend eat papaya, make sure it is fresh and ripe. Then wash off the papaya to remove the bacteria and pesticides. Then peel off its skin and cut the fruit from the middle. You will see numerous seeds inside. Take them out. Then chop the papaya and make bite-sized pieces of it. Make sure the sizes are so small that dogs can gulp them and have no intestinal blockage.
Don’t make the mistake of cooking papaya if your dog has trouble with digestion. The papain present in papaya is heat-sensitive. Hence, cooked papaya may not serve any benefits to your dog, but it has lots of side effects.
You may offer papaya juice or the puree form of it to him. Just skip any sort of sugar, sweetener, or other ingredient.
How Much Papaya Can Dogs Have?
Before you decide how much papaya your dog can have, first see if he can have it or not. Different dogs have different tastes. So try offering him the slightest part of papaya first. If he gulps it and gives normal reactions, maybe he is ready to eat some more. In this way, you can know whether your canine friend likes this treat or not.
Anyway, extra small dogs, like pigs and yorkies, should not have more than two pieces. Small dogs, like beagles and basenjis, can have up to three pieces. Medium dogs, like Border Collies and Basset Houndscan, eat six pieces. Large dogs, like German Shepherds and Pit Bulls, should not eat more than eight pieces. Lastly, extra-large dogs, like Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands, can eat up to ten pieces.
When Can Dogs Have Papaya?
Offering papaya to dogs requires some safety concerns that all dog owners should follow. For example, papaya is rich in sugar and fibre. Sugar can be harmful to an overweight or diabetic dog. So avoid feeding this fruit to your dog if he has such health issues.
Besides, its high fibre content can worsen the situation of dogs dealing with sensitive stomachs. It means you should offer papaya to your dog if he has constipation or a normal bowel movement.
Some dogs have allergies to plant-based foods, and no wonder papaya can be one of them. Be sure in advance if your dog has any allergies, then feed this fruit to him. Also, don’t forget to ask your vet before introducing this tasty fruit to your dog. Sometimes, the old health records are deciding factors in which foods humans and animals should have.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can Dogs Have Papaya?
Can dogs eat papaya every day?
Dogs should not eat papaya every day, as it is a plant-based food and has many ingredients that dogs should not have every day. They can eat it occasionally in moderation.
Why do dogs like papaya?
Dogs like papaya because of its sweet taste and juicy texture. This makes anyone feel hydrated and fresher. That’s why some dogs get baffled seeing papaya on their meal.
Are papaya leaves safe for dogs?
Eating a papaya leaf directly is unsafe for dogs, as it can be hard to digest. However, papaya leaf extract can be good for dogs and offer them many health and medicinal benefits.
Can puppies eat papaya?
Both mature dogs and puppies can eat papaya in moderation. For puppies, the quantity should be smaller as their oesophagus is smaller than that of older dogs. Also, it is better to feed them papaya puree instead of papaya pieces.
Final Thoughts
Since papaya offers some health risks too, we may have second thoughts on whether can dogs have papaya. The answer is yes. Dogs can have papaya in moderation if they are not allergic, diabetic, overweight, have no upset stomach, and if their vets allow it.
Sometimes, dogs get curious and eat more papaya than is required. In such cases, you should observe your dog’s symptoms instead of panicking. Also, let him throw up everything and rest for a while. Tell your vet about these symptoms, and treat him with medications prescribed by the vet.
